Public Relations Specialist salary in Columbus, IN
Public Relations Specialists in the Columbus, IN metro area earn a median of $62,770 a year ($30.18 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,930 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $74,750. Pay here is 3% lower than the Indiana statewide median of $64,900. There are 0.65 public relations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.36). The average (mean) salary is $66,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for public relations specialists in Columbus, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,640 | $16.65 |
| 25th percentile | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| Median | $62,770 | $30.18 |
| 75th percentile | $89,810 | $43.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,930 | $44.68 |
| Average (mean) | $66,210 | $31.83 |
Half of public relations specialists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,230.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,615.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,414.23 |
| Weekly | $1,207.12 |
| Hourly | $30.18 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Public Relations Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $77,050 | 4,920 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $70,410 | 310 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $67,380 | 250 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $66,450 | 1,740 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $65,580 | 80 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $64,040 | 1,470 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $63,320 | 60 |
| Evansville, IN | $63,170 | 120 |
| Bloomington, IN | $61,870 | 90 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $61,830 | 140 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $61,640 | 820 |
| Muncie, IN | $57,340 | 40 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $54,450 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for public relations specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $102,740 |
| Washington | $87,470 |
| California | $85,030 |
| Connecticut | $84,990 |
| New York | $81,250 |
| Colorado | $80,680 |
| Virginia | $80,380 |
| New Jersey | $80,130 |
| Massachusetts | $79,660 |
| Maryland | $79,560 |
See Public Relations Specialist pay in every state or the Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,200 | $18.84 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $36,490 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-3031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a public relations specialist make in Columbus, IN?
The median salary for public relations specialists in the Columbus, IN metro area is $62,770 a year, or $30.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid public relations specialists make in Columbus, IN?
The top 10% of public relations specialists in the Columbus, IN metro area earn at least $92,930 a year. The top 25% earn $89,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for public relations specialists in Columbus, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,640 a year, and a quarter of public relations specialists earn $49,080 or less.
How many public relations specialists work in Columbus, IN?
About 30 public relations specialists are employed in the Columbus, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.